April 29, 2005

FBQ #9 Tom Oswald

For today's installment we have Tom Oswald.Employing only the use of hand tools (no lathes, no milling machines) in the construction of his frames, Tom creates quietly. Oswald crafts frames that are refined and understated while working out of his Mansfield, Pennsylvania shop. These words are his...

I don't know for sure if it's the earliest, but my favorite is when I was about 4, going to the grocery store with my mom. I guess a bicycle parked in front of the store caught my eye, because I remember my mom asking me what I thought about that bike. I said I didn't like it. It had all these weird wires sprouting from it, and strangely bent handlebars. Somehow it spooked me. Of course now I recognize that it was simply the ubiquitous 10-speed, but at that time it was completely foreign to me. I didn't understand it, and immediately rejected it. I've grown quite a bit since then.

13. Who would you say is your greatest influence in designing & frame building?

I adopt ideas for small details from others, no one builder in particular. Sometimes things come from the customer. But the overall concept, the big picture, comes from inside me.

14. Did you apprentice... if so, with who?

It was not an apprenticeship in any sense of the word, but I learned the basics of framebuilding from Dale Brown, of Cycles de ORO, Classic Rendezvous, and Cirque du Cyclisme fame. Thank you, Dale.

15. What's your idea of the "perfect cycle" regardless if you built it or not?

Perfection is what we're all chasing. Be highly suspicious of anyone who trys to tell you they've achieved it.

16. Shooting a guess... how many frames would you say you've built?

50.

17. Any cycles out there that you secretly wished, "Darn, I wish I'd built that!"?

No.

18. Your idea of the perfect client?

Patient and not pushy.

19. What defines a nightmare client in your experience?

The fellow who fancies himself an expert.

20. Any words of advice to up & coming frame builders?

Learn to like peanut butter sandwiches.

21. What do you find most funny or peculiar (in a kind way-not brutal) about the cycle-buying public... what don't they get or aren't they seeing?

I am sometimes tickled by the ways people work so hard to justify their purchasing decisions. They like to convince themselves that they have to have this new product because it is going to make them faster, or more comfortable, or whatever. Why not just buy it because you like it?

22. What do you think of mass-produced bikes (without naming names)?

They serve their purpose.

23. What cycle don't you have anymore that you wished you did?

That Ross Super Gran Tour XV.

24. What cycle do you currently ride most, even if it wasn't built by you?

Oswald road bike.

25. When did you last ride your bike and for how far?

Yesterday, 47 miles.

26. What's your idea of the perfect ride?

Friends and tailwinds.

27. Could you ever see yourself being Car Free... just using mass-transportation and your bike to get around?

Did it for many years. Still do it often.

28. Why do you think so many folks have romanticized bicycles & bicycling?

Because they're wonderful.

29. Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?

Not really much time for anything else these days, but music is a very distant second to bikes.

30. If you could say one thing to Lance Armstrong what would it be?

Howdy.

31. In a pinch... McDonalds or Burger King?

I don't care - I'll use the pisser in whichever one I don't have to cross traffic to get to. But to actually purchase food to put into my body, to become a part of me? No thanks, I'll go hungry until a more viable option comes along.

32. What kind of shampoo did you last use?

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap.

33. Favorite libation: wine, beer or fire water?

Beer.

34. Even though there seems to be a real tradition to it-what do you think of folks who spend more time setting up their cycle with just the right color saddle, bar tape, bags, hoods, etc than actually riding or at least commenting on the ride?

People tinker with stuff like that because they enjoy it. And if people are enjoying themselves with bicycles, then it's nothing but a good thing.

35. Did you go to college... if so, what was your major?

Yes, music. Dropped out once I found my true calling - bikes.

36. Your favorite music while working (if any)?

I thrive on eclecticism. Playing right now: Howlin' Wolf - Smokestack Lightnin'

37. If you had it to do all over again... would you be building cycles?

Yes.

38. What's your favorite lunch food during a work day in the shop?

7 bean and barley soup with cornbread from the 1890's General Store.

39. When it's all said & done-what kind of legacy will you hope to have left behind?

Some beautiful bikes that are cherished for a lifetime, then are forgotten and slowly decay, corrode, crumble and disintegrate.

Comments

I've noticed quite a few of these guys won't admit to eating fast food. Seems odd, given the success of the fast food industry in this country, that this sector of the population seems to (almost) universally avoid the stuff. I avoid it too, but once in awhile, a man finds himself at the counter ordering up a double QP with fries, no matter how hard he tries. Especially when he's out in the boonies somewhere on his bike not sure how far it is to the next "town".

Also, though Oswald isn't one of them, I also noted the general disdain among framebuilders here for the mass produced 1970's bike boom bikes. These bikes were widely variable in quality, but many were certainly very nice. Is this just bike builder snobbishness? Like, "it's ok, as long as you don't mind your bikes 1 mm from being straight." The fact that some of these bikes were ridden pretty heavily (and enjoyed at the time) and still survive today seems to contradict what these guys are saying. As we talked about before, the basic design of bikes hasn't changed, so what is it that these guys think was so inferior to the bike boom bikes, aside from style and, perhaps, the neatness of the lug soldering and brazing.

Jim, I don't think that the builders as a group are saying that the bike boom bikes are likely to fall apart and kill you. I think they are saying that QC is better today, materials are better today, manufacturing practices are better today, and alignment is better. Mass produced bikes are just better all around today, the manufacturers have a higher batting average.

I was born in 1977, so the bulk of the bike boom was before my time, and all of it was well before the time I got interested in bikes (in 2004). So, I'll take your word on the improvements in manufacturing, materials, etc.

Of course, it might be noted that the better mass produced bikes of 30 years ago were built largely or totally by hand. The fact that some machine-cut and machine-welded bikes today are straighter and have a higher degree of batch uniformity than hand-built frames isn't all that surprising. Of course, at some point, certain improvements produce diminishing returns, and we can argue about those. When I'm out on my 77 Trek, I don't have a lot of trouble going in a straight line on account of frame crookedness (granted, I did a bit of manual straightening on it before I built it up). And any degree of nonuniformity that is present doesn't seem severe enough to keep me from using standard parts.

Hey folks,
I've been away from the computer for a few days - checking out the Cirque. So I'm just going to reply to the above comments in a list:

dom - Thanks!

Jim - I certainly don't mean to come off as "holier than thou" on the issue of fast food. I just ate Subway twice while on the road this weekend. But BK and McD's, the places specified in the question, I absolutely do not patronize. When not travelling, I prefer to either eat home cooked meals or support locally owned establishments.

Jim - Regarding factory made bikes, I think it's possible to be discerning without being disdainful or snobbish. Mass produced bikes serve a very important purpose - bringing bicycles within reach of most people. But they are as different from what I build as a t-shirt is from a tailor-made suit.

Joe - I can't speak for the others, but I like to involve myself with as many aspects of cycling as possible. Racing is just one of many facets for me. But it is very important. It is the best way I know of to really put my bikes to the test. Someone way smarter than me said "racing improves the breed". Plus it's super fun.

Michael - I like microbrews. I buy mostly local and regional stuff - Saranac, Ithaca Beer Co., Appalachian Brewing Co., Troegs, etc. Most of all, I love trying new ones, so if you know of anything you think I should sample, send it on. Oh yeah, and I'll need at least six of each - you know, to give it a real thorough try...

Well, after urging Large Fella to interview Tony Pereira, I've also purchased one to Tom's. Again, one of the best around, I'd say. Someone who tries hard, but has fun at it, too. It's Ok to strive for perfection, but I want a bike built by someone who still loves every aspect of the business, as clearly these guys do. And it shows in the love they put into their work.
Paul Germain
Midlothian, VA

I was just tinkering with my Ross Super Gran Tour XV today. Put new inner tubes and new Vittoria tires on it. Also had to replace the gear lever cable as it had rusted internally. Oh and new white handlebar tape. Wish I knew how to correctly identify the year it was built.